England Cricket: Joe Root still holds faith in old pal Gary Ballance

Joe Root spared England the grand entrance speeches many anticipate from a new captain but has already made one big call which is still awaiting a verdict.

Root confirmed on the eve of the second Investec Test the already open secret that Gary Ballance’s place in the team followed his own insistence that his fellow Yorkshire batsman is the right one to go in one position above him at number three for England.

He has therefore invested heavily in Ballance’s return, after being dropped in India last winter - and comeback scores off 20 and 34 in the 211-run win over South Africa at Lord’s have not yet put him in credit.

Root, however, is optimistic after his old flatmate’s prolific form in his maiden season as Yorkshire captain that he will soon replicate for his country again.

“I thought the way he played in the second innings (at Lord’s) was probably worth at least double on that surface,” said Root. “Those guys at the top made it look a lot easier than it was. That was proved in the result.”

Experts identified familiar technical foibles in both Ballance’s innings, but Root was impressed.

“He looked very good and comfortable in the first innings until his dismissal, and put pressure back on the bowlers on occasions, and he will be desperate to make his opportunity count this week. The most important thing for him is his weight distribution, and that looks a lot better than it was maybe a year ago.”

“He looks to me as if his game is in really good order.

“He just looks a lot more assured in himself and I honestly believe that he is not far away from making a really big score.”

Asked specifically if Ballance was a ‘captain’s pick’ at the start of this four-match series, and if he put in a word for him during selection meetings, Root said: “Yes.